Who says you can’t get your high school basketball fix in the middle of the summer?
While the official high school season doesn’t begin until the beginning of December, as a month that affords prep programs the chance to get an early start on forging chemistry and seeing just what kind of talent they have on their respective rosters.
A number of the state’s most talented teams will have a chance to do just that when the C3 Challenge tips off Tuesday. The creation of Heritage boys basketball coach Jentry Byleveld is a three-day tournament that used to be called the Continental vs. Centennial Challenge and featured the teams from two of Colorado’s top leagues.
With interest in the tournament growing in the past two years, Blyeveld decided to expand the tournament to 24 teams, with a lineup that includes big-school teams from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins and just about everywhere in between.
“The whole state is going to be represented,” he said.
The tournament will be held at Heritage and Rock Canyon high schools and begins Tuesday morning.
Players to watch
Colbey Ross, Eaglecrest: The 6-foot rising senior guard won Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year honors after leading the Raptors to the Class 5A state title game as a junior.
Kenny Foster, Smoky Hill: As a freshman last season, and was one of the best players in the Centennial League. The 6-3 guard has already received major-college recruiting interest.
Brevin Brimble, Doherty: The 5-11 sharpshooter helped lead the underdog Spartans all the way to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season. The senior-to-be is particularly fun to watch when executing out of pick-and-roll plays.
Sam Masten, Rock Canyon: Masten, a 6-2 lefty guard with superb finishing ability and great defensive approach, last week helped guide Rock Canyon to the title at the University of Colorado Team Camp in Boulder. Behind Masten, the Jags could be a darkhorse 5A title contender next season.
